Library Systems

The most elemental software for library operations that handles basic housekeeping functions

Why are ILS important

-The capabilities of the library automation systems determine the library’s ability to deliver relevant services
-Library automation systems take over tasks that would otherwise be repetitive, labor intensive, and inefficient
-Improve the quality, speed, and effectiveness of library services and management
-Allows staff to focus on user-oriented services
-Improve access and information dissemination to remote users and the public
-Improve access to resources on other networks and systems, including the Web; enable participation in resource-sharing library networks

Integrated library system is a system that performs all the basic functions of a library (acquisition, cataloging, circulation, serials, reference etc)

What are the parts of an Integrated library system

Made up of modules that address specific functional areas including
-Cataloging
-Circulation
-Serials control
-Acquisitions
-Online public access catalog (OPAC) – User interface

The systems are built on relational databases that are shared among the functional modules, such as bibliographic database, authority records database, patron database, orders and invoices database, circulation database, etc.

Circulation Module
-Handles circulation activities including: lending, return, renewal, place on hold, etc.
-Manages library materials: circulation type, location, patron database, and other transactions such as fines, lost books, etc
-May have added features such as inventory, support for MARC, Z39.50 and ILL standards, etc.
-May support security systems that lets users self check books in or out of the library

-Manages subscription, cancellation, claiming of orders, returns, unwanted and unordered materials, and accounting and statistical information
-Provides a system for recording issues and keeping track of undelivered issues by generating claim reports
-Is a separate beast from e-journal databases

What is the Interlibrary Loan Module

Interlibrary Loan Module
-Provides an information management system for interlibrary loan transactions
-Automatic monitoring of loans and accounts, making claims, putting holds on materials being borrowed, etc
-Monitors the number of items borrowed by individual patrons, from where, etc

What is the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog)

-User access to the catalog is limited to search and display through the OPAC
-Connects the bibliographic records from the cataloging module to the circulation model and make the information available to the users through local or wide area network
-Can also be connected to other features, such as online database or interlibrary loan services
-Features of OPAC vary from system to system

What are the general features of an ILS?

-Functional modules – most systems offer the basic modules – cataloging, OPAC and circulation – in a library software package, and the other functions such as acquisition, serial control, interlibrary loan (ILL), and Web OPAC are usually provided as optional add on modules or part of a main module
-Operating systems – each system may work for a particular OS like Windows, Unix, or it may work for both Windows and Unix environment
-Database systems – major systems normally make use of DBMS offered by different vendors like Oracle, Informix, MS SQL, MS Access etc…
-Network architecture – major systems run on the client-server architecture and use TCP-IP to communicate across networks (LANs and WANs)
-User interface – the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) is the norm for current systems because users find it easier to work with and it allows a wide range of tasks to be accomplished with a click of a mouse
-Library automation standards – provisions for library industry standards such as MARC and Z39.50 are normally integrated in major systems

An internationally recognized standard for information retrieval that lets users, through one search, see results from different databases with unique search menus, command language and search procedures

How does Z39.50 Work?

A searcher enters a query into his/her library system using the local library system’s search interface. The Z39.50 Origin module that sits on the local library system server translates the query into a standardized format defined by Z39.50 and sends it to a database system that has a Z39.50 Target. The Target presents the commands and search to the database and returns the results in a standardized format to the Origin where the user

When did OPAC come about

-Late 1990’s – the network revolution Web-based OPAC

How many people start their research with OCLC

OCLC (2005) Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources: 89% college students start their search with search engines, 2% start with library Web site

Current state of ILS

-Evolving demands on the systems:
-The need to provide efficient and unified access to Web content
-The need to handle electronic resources created and held by the libraries themselves
-Print materials are becoming a smaller component of the library’s overall collections
-Library function of the catalog has changed from that of identifying a shelf location to pointing to a networked (LAN or WAN) location
-Changing user expectation and behavior
-Complex and rich in features, but often do not compare favorably with alternatives (amazon.com or Google Books) available on the Web
-Changing ILS market place – converging through buyouts and mergers
-Example: SirsiDynix = Sirsi + Dynix
-Winners (survivors) are those who come up with new ideas

Cons:
-Can be costly
-May require more tech expertise to install
-May not be easy to implement
-May not have the customer service provided by proprietary software companies

What are some open source Systems

Koha
-Considered to be the most successful OSS project
-Data not locked into the system
-Has an easy-to-use Web interface of the ILS
Sakai
-Provides course management system features such as chat area, grade books, tests, etc
Evergreen
-Developed by Georgia Public Library Service Georgia PINES consortia out of dissatisfaction of the limitations of ILS

What is Digital object management systems (DOMS)

Systems designed to store and provide access to digital documents and supplement the online catalog
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What are some DOMS examples

-dSpace
-Fedora

Content Management System

System that Provides tools to manage the creation, storage, editing, and publication of information in a collaborative environment